The rest of dinner continues on just as smoothly. I don’t have to say much, which is perfect for me. Lincoln fields most of the questions about our engagement, and I ignore the occasional whispers from my half-sisters and cousins.
As for my father and his evil wife, they skipped dinner, even though they were made aware that I’d be introducing the family to my future husband. No surprise there. I try not to let their absence affect me. Winning them over isn’t on my agenda anyway. Just Great-Grandma.
Which is why I nearly choke on myfondant au chocolatwhen she speaks to me during dessert. “Julissa, you two were hoping to have a short engagement period, correct?”
I nod.
She looks pleased. “What do you two think about having the wedding here at the estate?” she suggests, beaming at me, her bastard great-granddaughter.
All chatter around the table halts.
“Wow, I… Here? Are you…?” I stutter for a moment before looking to Lincoln for an answer.Help, please.
His eyes are just as big as mine. But he clears his throat and sits up taller. “We’d be honored.”
“Very well, then.” Great-Grandma claps her hands together.
She orders Martha to fetch her leather planner and bring it to the table. She sits in silence as her wrinkled fingers flip through the pages. She mutters to herself as she considers the options.
“Okay. This weekend here,” she says, stabbing the page and pushing the book toward Lincoln and me.
My eyes widen even further when I see the date she’s pointing at. “In two weeks?”
“Yes,” Great-Grandma answers, raising her wispy eyebrow at me. “Two weeks from yesterday. Will that be a problem?” she challenges.
Lincoln lays his hand on top of mine, interlacing our fingers with a broad smile. “That weekend will be perfect. The big day can’t come soon enough. I can’t wait to make this beautiful woman my bride.”
“It’s settled, then,” Great-Grandma announces to the table. “We’ll hold the wedding here in two weeks. Everyone is invited, and is expected to bring aproper guest.”She shoots a glare at Cousin Gina whose plus-one is noticeably absent today.
After dinner is cleared and everyone is milling around the foyer, collecting their jackets and getting ready to leave, my great-grandmother lays her hand on Cameron’s shoulder.
“Hold on a moment, dear. I have something for you.” The classy old broad shuffles away with her walking stick and then returns with a vintage toy car in her hand.
“Oh, wow…I can have it?” the little boy marvels, his eyes glued to the toy.
“My kids used to play with this a long, long time ago. I want you to have it now, Cameron.”
“What?!” Cousin Gina, who’s impregnated by her not-really fiancé, immediately objects. “That’s part of a set! Those are collector items that could be very valuable. You can’t just give them away.”
Josephine the Terror shoots her a dismissive glance. “I’d say your backside is just as valuable, dear, but that never stopped you from giving it away.”
Oh, burn.
My cousin gasps hard enough to crack a rib, and everyone else tries not to laugh.
Lincoln steps forward, putting a hand on my great-grandmother’s wrist. “Really. You don’t have to do this, Mrs. Lannister.”
“Nonsense.” Great-Grandma waves her hand away, completely unfazed by what the others are saying. “These are toys, and they deserve to be played with. And I want you to have it, dear.”
“Thank you so much.” Cameron accepts the toy and wraps his arms around my great-grandmother in an unexpected hug.
There’s some more grumbling, but no one else dares argue with the keeper of the trust funds.
As we’re saying our goodbyes, I don’t miss all the jealous, dirty looks my half-sisters and cousins are throwing my way. They’ve been ogling Lincoln all evening. And who wouldn’t?
Over six feet tall. Blue eyes. Blonde hair. He’s a living, breathing Ken doll. In a button-down shirt.
ExceptthisKen has a real package. An impressive one, too.
